“Because your baby’s health and well-being are crucial, please take the time to do your research before ordering formula online. Failure to do so could severely impact your baby’s life,” advises Gwenneth Simmonds, PhD, CNM in Atlanta.
Things to Know When Buying Online
What’s in a name? Plenty, when you’re deciding what formula to buy for your baby. Experts recommend picking a trusted brand name when it comes to both the formula and the online store. “First you want to make sure that it’s a reputable brand that you’re buying; that it’s one that you’ve heard about, a big company. Secondly, you want to buy it from a reputable source,” notes Daniel Ganjian, MD, a pediatrician at Providence Saint John’s Health Center. If you’re thinking of getting formula that is not from a name-brand manufacturer, Dr. Ganjian recommends running it by your pediatrician to get insight on whether it’s a good formula to consider. It’s important to pick an FDA-approved formula. The FDA sets limits for the 29 nutrients it requires in formula. Formulas that are not sold in the United States, but sent from overseas, do not need FDA approval, and therefore, may not have proper levels of these nutrients.
Red Flags
If all the factors check out and you proceed with ordering the formula online, be on the lookout for these red flags. Examine the color and smell of the formula. If something seems off, don’t risk giving it to your baby. You should also look at the “use-by” date, to make sure it hasn’t been tampered with or covered up. Discounted formula sold online may be very close to or past the use-by date. “Use-by dates are required by the FDA to ensure the formula contains the minimum quantity of each ingredient listed and the quality is acceptable for consumption. Formula should not be used after the use-by date,” states Dr. Simmonds. Lastly, if a deal on infant formula seems too good to be true, it probably is. “If anybody’s selling it very cheap, you have to ask yourself, why are they selling it so cheap,” Dr. Ganjian notes.
Resources
Buying infant formula from the comfort of your home is definitely an attractive option, as long as you shop wisely. “Buying online can be convenient, but [you] need to proceed with caution and deal with reputable companies,” Dr. Simmonds concludes.
